Age Assessments

Key call: End the Use of Unreliable Procedures for Determining the Age of Asylum-Seeking Children

There have been ongoing concerns regarding the UK Home Office’s age assessment procedures for unaccompanied asylum-seeking children, particularly the use of unreliable methods. These practices frequently result in children being wrongly assessed as adults, exposing them to exploitation, abuse, detention, and denial of appropriate support and safeguarding. These misclassifications put already vulnerable children at risk and contravene their rights under the UNCRC.

The UN Committee on the Rights of the Child in 2023 called on the UK State party to end such practices, recommending multidisciplinary assessments that prioritise the best interests of the child, ensure appropriate legal support and the right to challenge decisions.

There are also concerns surrounding the National Age Assessment Board (NAAB), established by the UK Government in 2023 to centralise age assessments. Many organisations argue this undermines the independence of social workers and the expertise of local authorities.

In Wales, age assessments must align with the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014, which prioritises children’s rights. The Welsh approach, guided by the “Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking Children: Age Assessment Toolkit,” is rooted in treating these young people as children first. However, there is a lack of legal expertise in age assessment challenges, which forces reliance on practitioners from outside Wales, who may not always be familiar with Welsh legislation and guidance. Please read more about the need for better access to legal advice and representation here.

Delays and lack of appropriate adults during age assessments increase trauma and disrupt asylum claims and education. Access to legal advice is critically under-resourced, especially in Wales, all reinforcing the need for a Guardianship Service to support unaccompanied children to navigate complex bureaucratic and legal processes. Please read more about our calls for a Guardianship Service here.

Please read a joint Briefing written by Dr Rhian, Croke, Children’s Legal Centre Wales and Matthew Court, Public Law Project here, on ‘Ending the Use of Unreliable Procedures for Determining the Age of Asylum-Seeking Children’